Speculations abound that several unnamed English Premier League clubs are planning to bid for Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger before the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Reports went out last week that the 32-year-old former Germany national team captain was relegated to the reserve squad by debuting Red Devils head coach Jose Mourinho as the manager finds the midfielder a surplus to his plans at the Old Trafford this coming season.
Controversy even arose when the Portuguese boss said to have ordered Schweinsteiger's belongings removed from his first-team locker room without his knowledge and sent it to the reserve team's dressing room, which drew negative remarks from the German's family and supporters.
With that, new reports have emerged that there had been other teams in the English top flight that would gladly make the 6-foot Kolbermoor, West Germany native a part of their first team.
ESPN indicated that the World Cup winner is "attracting interest from Premier League clubs", but the particular names of the clubs were still undisclosed. It went on to say that Schweinsteiger is actually attracting "widespread interest", which means other teams aside from the English top division are also interested in getting his services this coming season.
There were also rumors that his former club, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, may be saving a spot for him in new head coach Carlo Ancelotti's roster, although there are no reports yet of how much will it cost the Bavarians to buy him back from the Red Devils.
Caught Offside reported that United officials are confident that Schweinsteiger's huge wage demands will not be a "stumbling block" for the veteran midfielder "to a move elsewhere".
Schweinsteiger was left in Manchester by Mourinho during the team's disastrous preseason tour to China last month. He was also never featured in any of the team's preseason friendlies including Wayne Rooney's testimonial against Everton earlier this month.
Schweinsteiger was also absent in the team's 2-1 triumph over reigning English champions Leicester City during the Community Shield match last Sunday, which indicates that Mourinho is indeed eager to part ways with the German before the new season begins this weekend.